Softball World Cup 2013 Bracket: Breaking Down All 5 Teams

The five best softball teams from around the world will soon meet in Oklahoma City with the hopes of being crowned the champions of the World Cup of Softball.

Despite it being the eighth year of the tournament's existence, there have been just two countries to win the title. The United States has dominated the bracket in the past, winning six-of-seven championships. Japan is the only other team to have hoisted the trophy at the tournament’s conclusion.

In the coming days, each of the teams participating will play each other once. Then, seeds will be determined based on the preliminary round standings.

The No. 4 and No. 5 seeds will play for the opportunity to play the No. 3 seed in the Third Place Game. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds will square off for the title.

Here is a breakdown of the five teams looking to win the World Cup of Softball this year, including each squad’s schedule for the week and information as to how each country has fared in this competition in the past.

Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico has participated at the World Cup of Softball just once—last year—and it seems unlikely that 2013 is going to be much different than 2012. Last year, the Puerto Ricans didn’t even score 10 runs throughout the six games they played. To make matters worse, the team’s pitching staff allowed 31 runs.

The team didn’t get completely embarrassed, though. Despite losing to Brazil in the opener in Oklahoma City, the Puerto Ricans defeated the Brazilians in the Fifth Place Game. Brazil, however, isn’t participating in 2013, meaning that there’s a strong chance Puerto Rico finishes in fifth place for the second straight year.

Canada

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The Canadians have never made it to the championship game throughout their history in the World Cup of Softball. They have, however, taken third place on five occasions. Last year, Canada had the top offense, scoring 43 runs in six games, but it wasn’t enough to earn the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds.

The problem for Canada a year ago was that it started off very cold. The Canadians lost their first two games by one run apiece and then got destroyed at the hands of the United States in their third game. Then, they scored 20 total runs without allowing one against Puerto Rico and Brazil.

Australia

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Australia enters this year’s World Cup of Softball with a bad taste in its mouth. The Australians played very well a year ago, winning 4-of-5 games in the preliminary round to earn the No. 2 seed. Their only loss of the round came against the United States, falling by a score of 3-1.

Australia couldn’t get on the board when it got another chance to take down the Americans, losing 3-0. In the country’s history at the World Cup of Softball, it has a pair of second-place finishes, one third-place finish and two fourth-place finishes. Don’t expect the Australians to be in the title game this year with Japan back in action.

Japan

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Japan is easily the second-best team in this year’s tournament. It’s the only country aside from the United States to ever win the title in Oklahoma City. Japan was the No. 2 seed back in 2005 after winning 2-of-4 preliminary round matchups. The Japanese defeated USA 3-1 in the championship game to win the inaugural title.

Since, Japan has lost in the title game four times and finished in fourth place once. Last year, the Japanese decided not to participate. They’re back this year, though, looking to win their first title since 2005.

Japan likely has the best shot of the participating teams of upending USA, but it’s still going to be tough. Japan shouldn't have much trouble with the other three teams.

United States

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The United States is the most dominant team in the world without a doubt. The Americans have won the World Cup of Softball six consecutive times. They’ve never failed to make it to the championship game of the global tournament either. Last year, USA only allowed two runs throughout its run to the title.

One player to keep an eye on for the Americans is Lauren Chamberlain, who was one of the top hitters in the nation this past year at Oklahoma. In 61 games, she hit .458/.613/1.113 with 30 home runs and 84 RBI. She could probably take down the other four teams by herself, but she’ll undoubtedly let her teammates lend a hand.